Page 64 of Married into the Mob

“On behalf of Aunt Louisa, I will, I do.” My aunt had agency, and she might be miffed at me for arranging a temporary home without her consent. But for once, I’d ignore any concerns and say thank you.

I phoned her, but she was already on the way to the new place.

“This is so unexpected. Maybe something good did come out of this mess.”

She was referring to the apartment, but she could have been talking about me and Hunter. Not that she was aware of what we were to one another.

“But no bodyguards. I told Rudy, and he passed that along.”

I rested the phone on my chest, hoping she couldn’t hear and explained to Hunter.

“I think it’s okay. Stefan can’t hurt anyone, Draven has vanished and isn’t in the city, the hired hands took off after fumbling the killings.”

I promised my aunt I’d visit her tomorrow and take her to the doctor.

“I’m starving. Any food in this place?” I kept thinking of what we’d left in the cabin and could have cried at the waste.

“I ordered groceries and takeout. They'll be here in fifteen minutes, but I have a secret stash of snacks to keep you going until then.”

“And please tell me how to use that coffee machine. It’s got so many bells and whistles, I need a degree to turn it on.”

He rested his chin on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Planning on making coffee every morning?” He nuzzled my throat.

“No, that's your job, but when you’re not here, I’ll do it.”

So much had happened in a few days. I might need time away from Hunter to sort out my life, but that would be days not weeks or months. But I wasn’t looking forward to telling my aunt. I tore off a nail and got irritated at the jagged edge.

“Do you garden?” I asked, changing the subject

“Is that a euphemism? I could get down and dirty, on my knees, bending over, digging my hands into something soft and kneading it.”

“Hunter?” I pictured me lying on the grass, streaked with dirt, my legs outstretched as he lowered himself on top of me.

“Yeah,” he squeaked. “I could garden. It wouldn’t be a hardship. The opposite.”

“Are you sure you’re talking about plants, soil, and pruning?”

“Pruning?” His face was blank.

“Mmmm. You know. Snip, snip.” I made a cutting motion.

“Oh, the garden out there? With flowers and stuff?”

I giggled, enjoying the sensation of being skin to skin. “I’m going to take a wild leap and say when someone refers to gardening as flowers and stuff, they are not a gardener.”

He tapped my head. “Clever. And you would be right. My dad does most of it. He was probably regaling Louisa with tales of taking the space from a wasteland to what it is today.”

His phone rang, reminding me I needed a new one. He showed me the display. “This is the number you dialed earlier, so it’s your aunt.”

It was. I took it with a huge smile.

“You must come and see the apartment. It’s stunning. I can’t believe it. And you’ll love your bedroom.”

I was already in love with the bedroom I’d slept in and the bedmate I’d woken up beside. “I’ll be there tomorrow.”

Hunter and I made coffee and eggs as his phone vibrated. Each message was from my aunt.